Toe ramp system

Abstract

A toe ramp system for use with a snowboard binding. The system includes a toe ramp for adjustable attachment to a front portion of a base plate of the snowboard binding and including a toe ramp interlocking structure associated with a toe ramp rear wall. Also included is a first spacer having a first interlocking structure associated with a first wall for removable attachment to the toe ramp interlocking structure and having a second interlocking structure associated with a second wall for removable attachment to a base plate wall. In an implementation, the system also includes at least a second spacer having a third interlocking structure associated with a front wall for removable attachment to the second interlocking structure of the first spacer, and having a fourth interlocking structure associated with a rear wall for removable attachment to the base plate wall.

1. A toe ramp system for use with a snowboard binding comprising:
 a toe ramp for adjustable attachment to a front portion of a base plate of the snowboard binding and including a toe ramp interlocking structure associated with a toe ramp rear wall; 
 a first spacer having a first interlocking structure associated with a first wall for removable attachment to the toe ramp interlocking structure and having a second interlocking structure associated with a second wall for removable attachment to a base plate wall; and 
 at least a second spacer having a third interlocking structure associated with a front wall for removable attachment to the second interlocking structure of the first spacer, and having a fourth interlocking structure associated with a rear wall for removable attachment to the base plate wall. 
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the spacer is made of a shock absorbing material. 
   
   
     3. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the spacer is made of a dampening material. 
   
   
     4. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the spacer is made of a composite material with shock absorbing and dampening characteristics. 
   
   
     5. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the spacer first wall is shaped to flush fit with the toe ramp rear wall, and the spacer second wall is shaped to flush fit with the base plate wall. 
   
   
     6. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first interlocking structure is a flange and the second interlocking structure is a receptacle. 
   
   
     7. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second walls of the spacer are curved. 
   
   
     8. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least one fastener for adjustably connecting the toe ramp to the base plate. 
   
   
     9. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the toe ramp is adjustable in a plurality of front-to-rear positions. 
   
   
     10. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the toe ramp further comprises a contoured surface. 
   
   
     11. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the toe ramp further comprises at least one well for accommodating at least one fastener. 
   
   
     12. The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the well houses at least one of a plurality of through holes or a slot. 
   
   
     13. A snowboard binding of the type that includes a base plate having a toe portion, the binding for releasably securing a snowboard boot to the base plate, comprising:
 a toe ramp having an upper surface for supporting engagement with a toe portion of a snowboard boot; 
 at least one fastener for adjustably securing the toe ramp to the toe portion of the base plate; 
 at least one spacer having at least one first structure for releasably interlocking with the toe ramp and at least one second structure for releasably interlocking with the base plate, wherein the spacer is selected and positioned by a rider between the toe ramp and a wall of the base plate to accommodate the size of a snowboard boot sole and provides enhanced snowboard riding characteristics; and 
 at least a second spacer having a third interlocking structure for removable attachment to the second interlocking structure of the first spacer, and having a fourth interlocking structure for removable attachment to the base plate. 
 
   
   
     14. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the spacer is made of a shock absorbing material. 
   
   
     15. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the spacer is made of a dampening material. 
   
   
     16. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the spacer is made of a composite material to provide a combination of shock absorbing and dampening characteristics. 
   
   
     17. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the spacer is shaped to flush fit with both the toe ramp and the base plate. 
   
   
     18. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the first interlocking structure is a flange and the second interlocking structure is a receptacle. 
   
   
     19. The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising at least one fastener for adjustably connecting the toe ramp to the base plate. 
   
   
     20. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the toe ramp is adjustable in a plurality of front-to-rear positions. 
   
   
     21. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the toe ramp further comprises a contoured surface. 
   
   
     22. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the toe ramp further comprises at least one well for accommodating at least one fastener. 
   
   
     23. The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the well houses at least one of a plurality of through holes or a slot. 
   
   
     24. A method for providing enhanced control and improved snowboard riding characteristics for a snowboard binding comprising:
 providing a toe ramp that is adjustably attached to a front portion of a base plate of the snowboard binding and that includes a toe ramp interlocking structure; 
 providing at least one spacer having a first interlocking structure for removable attachment to the toe ramp interlocking structure and having a second interlocking structure for removable attachment to a base plate wall; and 
 providing at least a second spacer having a third interlocking structure associated with a front wall of the second spacer for removable attachment to the second interlocking structure of the first spacer, and having a fourth interlocking structure associated with a rear wall of the second spacer for removable attachment to the base plate wall; 
 wherein the spacer comprises at least one of a shock absorbing material and a dampening material.